In this May 23, 2018 photo a burning spot lights in the Easter German City Dresden, after an attempt to defuse a WWII'bomb by remote control leads to a partial detonation of the bomb. German police confirmed the bomb that partially exploded during its diffusing has been successfully deactivated. (Marco Klinger/dpa via AP)

WWII bomb successfully defused in German city of Dresden

May 24, 2018 - 11:43 am

The Associated Press

BERLIN (AP) — German police say a World War II bomb that partially exploded while it was being defused in the eastern city of Dresden has been successfully deactivated.

Police said Thursday the nearly 9,000 residents who were evacuated from the city's downtown area Tuesday could return to their homes.

Officials said the 250-kilogram (550-pound) British bomb, which was found during construction work, was difficult to defuse and after its partial explosion Wednesday some of the material next to the bomb started burning. Nobody was injured during the detonation.

Authorities deployed a robot Thursday to douse the flames and after that found out that the bomb was no longer a threat.

More than 70 years after the end of the war, bombs are still regularly discovered in German cities during construction work.